[Blindmath] Issues with electronic math files and screen readers/braille displays

[Sina Bahram]

We're working on some solutions for Maps and also diagrams such as FlowCharts in my lab. An effort, for which I was quite humbled and honored, to recently receive a Whitehouse Champions of Change award.

Currently, our system allows a blind student to interact with Google maps via touch, voice, and keyboard. It runs on any Android tablet, or really any decently recent Android powered device, and facilitates this access to the map by utilizing the TIKISI framework which I've developed as part of my doctoral studies.

If you promise not to judge draft level copy that is very much not complete, you can read more about these efforts at:

www.AccessibleInfographics.com

we most recently made significant progress on FlowCharts, so I'll be updating the FlowCharts section soon with a write-up of our progress. Videos are forthcoming.

Hope this helps stimulate some discussion. Feel free to contact me off list with questions.


Take care,
Sina

Website: www.SinaBahram.com
Twitter: @SinaBahram


-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Whapples
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 5:59 PM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Issues with electronic math files and screen readers/braille displays

You mentioned diagrams and maps, I am not sure if there is a purely 
computer based solution which is satisfactory for those. I know some use 
the software called the vOICe (www.seeingwithsound.com), but I think 
even users of that admit it has its limitations for what one can 
understand in a diagram when using it. Also while I have looked at it, I 
have never really got to grips with it, I am not putting it down by 
saying that, many find it useful and I think it possibly has value, I 
rather mean I personally have never managed to get on with it.

I think certainly for the diagrams there may need to be a physical 
diagram for blind students.

As for the maths, well there are bits and pieces out there which can do 
parts of it, but nothing really linked up. As Steve mentioned, may be if 
a state government pushes screen reader manufacturers then may be they 
will feel there is a need and so will start working on the problem. 
Until the screen reader providers start working on it those who do try 
and make maths accessible will be working in quite a constrained 
environment.

Michael Whapples
On 10/05/2012 14:40, Patricia Balassone wrote:
> Thank you all, your feedback contains the kind of information I need to pass along. Although I only know a little about Nemeth and even less about programming, I know enough that I am also skeptical of the possibility for adequate adaptations. Unfortunately, providing a brailled hard copy with all possible answer scenarios for an exam that is answer driven is unrealistic. One of my suggestions, even though it will still be cumbersome, will be to supply tactile copies of all maps, diagrams, and equations for braille readers. Again, thank you for allowing me to tap into your knowledge and experience.
> Patricia Balassone
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